How Often Should Women Wash Their Hair?

Being a woman means planning the entire week ahead to ensure a stress-free life, barring any unforeseen circumstances. In this planning process, an important yet ignored decision is to plan how often to wash hair. Sadly, there is no ideal time that every woman can follow, and the process of washing hair differs for every woman and every season. For example, the routine of hair wash in summer is ill-fitted for the routine of hair wash in monsoon or hair wash in winter as every season requires specific steps. 

Similarly, the ideal frequency of when to wash hair also differs depending upon the seasons. During summers, our scalps become more oily, while we might suffer from dandruff in winters. So, let's dive in and understand.

• Can you wash your hair daily?

• How often should you wash your hair?

• What factors can affect how often a person should wash their hair?

• How to know if you're washing your hair too much?

• Choosing the right shampoo

• Conclusion 

• FAQ on How often to wash hair

Can you wash your hair daily?

As washing hair for women is not a one-size-fits-all type of situation, there is no clear answer to how frequently to wash hair. Some women prefer washing their hair daily as per their needs, while others like to wash their hair twice or thrice a week. Ideally, you should wash your hair only when it becomes dirty, oily and if there is a lot of product buildup on the scalp. 

However, according to the experts, your hair does not require daily cleaning. On the contrary, washing your hair daily can actually make your scalp dry, and your hair brittle and damaged due to prolonged exposure to the chemicals present in the shampoo. The ideal frequency of your hair wash  should depend on the following factors: 

• Length of the Hair
• Hair Type and Concerns
• Individual Preferences

For instance, if you have oily hair, you may consider washing your hair daily with a 100% natural soft shampoo. But if you have dry hair, you should wash your hair twice a week to avoid making your scalp dryer. 

How often should you wash your hair?

To understand the ideal frequency of washing your hair,  you need to first understand your hair type. You can check with your hair professional to understand the right hair regime for you. Alternatively, you can also follow this simple test to understand your hair type. 

• Take a hair strand in your fingers and try to feel the texture of your hair. 
• If you cannot feel the strand, you have fine hair; if you can feel the hair slightly, you have medium hair. Also, if it feels coarse or thick, you have thick hair. 

You can also check the condition of your hair by following these steps:

• Take a single hair strand in your fingers and try to stretch it out. 
• If the hair breaks immediately, your hair has low elasticity, which suggests less healthy hair. However, if it stretches to 50% of its original length, you have healthy hair. 

Now that you know your hair type, you can choose an ideal hair care regime. For instance, women with extra fine hair or women who exercise a lot and sweat might need to wash their hair daily as their scalp can become very oily. On the contrary, if you have thick or curly hair, you can go longer without having to wash your hair. Some women are only required to wash their hair once a week.

There are several other factors as well - for instance, the routine for hair wash in summer will be different as our scalp becomes more oily during the summers. On the contrary, the routine for hair wash in winter requires you to wash your hair less frequently as your hair is already dry. Also, If your hair is styled, you can probably get away for a longer time without needing to wash your hair. 

On this note, let's understand in detail the factors that determine the ideal frequency of washing your hair. 

What factors can affect how often a person should wash their hair?

Now that we have a basic understanding of the hair type and the normal hair care routine followed by women, let's understand the factors determining your ideal hair care regime.

Oil

One of the most important factors that determine the ideal hair wash frequency is oil. Coincidentally, oil is also one of the biggest culprits that make your hair look dirty, clumpy and limp. The amount of hair your scalp generates depends on various factors themselves, such as age, genetics, sex, weather and environment. For instance, you can increase hair wash in monsoons as the humidity in the air causes your hair to become more fizzy and sticky. 

Moreover, children and adults produce less sebum or oil than teenagers and adults in their 20s and 30s. While some women produce enough oil for them to wash their hair every day, others only need to wash their hair once or twice a week. 

Type of hair

As we discussed before, every hair type requires a unique hair care regime and requires you to wash your hair differently. As a general rule, if you have straight or thin hair,  wash it  more frequently as compared to curly or wavy hair. Thin hair produces more oil that makes it look greasy faster. In comparison, thick hair is generally drier, and the oil cannot cover the strands that easily. 

Moreover, if you have curly hair, you need natural oil in your hair as it helps in defining your curls and making them stay soft and frizz-free. 

Sweat

You might have observed that sweat makes your scalp itchy and more oily, which  makes your hair look dirtier. Moreover, the sweat causes your hair to smell bad and can eventually cause dandruff and skin irritation. If you often go to a gym or like to sweat your worries out, you should wash your hair more frequently to keep your hair fresh and hydrated. 

Physical Dirt and Pollution

When we go out to work, our hair is exposed to sunlight, dirt and pollution. When your hair is oily, they tend to accumulate dust and pollution, which in turn dirties the scalp. Blockage on the scalp can cause damaged hair and excessive hair fall. 

If your daily routine requires you to go out, you should wash your hair at least twice a week to get rid of all the dust and pollution. 

Hair Styling Products

Hairstyling products have chemicals that can stick to your hair and make them dry and brittle. These products, if left for a long time, can cause skin irritation, hair fall and damage. If you are a frequent user of styling products, you should wash your hair more often and cleanse your scalp regularly. 

How to know if you're washing your hair too much?

Regardless of how absurd it might sound, you can actually wash your hair too much. The shampoo is designed to clean your scalp and remove all the excess oil. However, if you overuse shampoo, you can make your scalp and hair too dry, which will increase damage and cause hair fall. 

Moreover, shampoos can also strip the essential oils from your scalp that help  protect your hair from external damage. When your hair becomes dry, it becomes more susceptible to dandruff. The expert believes that dandruff can be a sign of overwashing your hair, including other symptoms such as dry hair, scalp itching, flaking or dandruff. 

However, dryness and dandruff are not exclusive as sometimes shampooing less can also cause itching because of clogged pores. So it is important to experiment with different hair wash schedules to find the ideal schedule that fits your hair type perfectly.  

Choosing the right shampoo

Now that we have a better understanding of how to decide your ideal hair wash frequency, let's move on to the next important decision you have to make. The type of shampoo that you also use largely affects the overall health of your scalp and hair.

 As a general rule, you should always avoid any chemical-based shampoo or hair care products as they have chemicals that damage your hair and scalp in the long run. Instead, you can use 100% natural shampoo and conditioners from brands such as Pure Sense.

Pure Sense - An All-Natural Brand

Pure Sense is a premium haircare, skincare and body care brand that offers a variety of products. All products that Pure Sense offers are developed from natural ingredients such as herbs and plants that have medicinal properties and are well-suited for all skin types. Moreover, Pure Sense products are paraben-free, sulphate-free and carcinogen-free, come in eco-friendly packaging and are cruelty-free. 

Pure Sense offers a variety of hair care products such as a cleanser and conditioners that are good for your hair. We recommend you to try Relaxing Macadamia Deep Nourishing Hair Cleanser (Shampoo) that is enriched with the goodness of ethically-sourced academia Nut Oil that cleanses your hair gently while nourishing the scalp.  

Conclusion 

Figuring the ideal frequency of washing your hair is largely dependent on your hair type. Moreover, you should also avoid chemical-based shampoo and hair care products to restore the natural shine of your hair. We hope this guide helped you to understand when to wash hair. 

FAQs on how often to wash hair

• Is it OK to wash your hair once a week?
  

  Yes, depending on your hair type, you can wash your hair once a week. For instance, if you have thin hair, you might have to wash your hair more than once a week. But if you have curly and thick hair, you can wash your hair once a week easily without worrying about damaged, dry or oily hair.
  
  

• Does washing your hair frequently damage it?
  

  Yes, extensively washing your hair can damage your hair by stripping them off the essential oils. Moreover, chemical-based shampoo can dry your scalp and make it itchy while causing dandruff and flakiness. Ideally, you should not wash your hair twice or thrice a week, but if you have to opt for natural products to minimise the damage. 
  
  

• What's the longest you should go without washing your hair?
  

  Depending upon your hair type, you can go for over a week without having to wash your hair. For instance, if you have curly and thick hair, you might not have to wash your hair for over a week without worrying about excess oil or dirty hair.